The Oslo Community

In 1908 Anders L. Mordt, a native of Norway, secured form R. M. Thomson and R. T. Anderson the sales rights to 100 sections of Hansford County land he named Oslo. The first settlers were recruited from existing Norwegian colonies in the midwestern United States. To promote the development, Mordt advertised his inexpensive Texas land in major Norwegian language publications across the nation. He also published a weekly newspaper, The "Oslo Posten", and organized an annual Norwegian Independence Day celebration, "Syttende Mai" (May 17), which attracted crowds from surrounding towns in Oklahoma and Texas. Community worship services were first conducted at the Oslo schoolhouse in 1909 by the Rev. Christian Heltne. Officially organized the following year, the Olso Lutheran Church became the center of the farming settlement. Mordt's land sales ended in 1913 as a result of a severe drought. When the Denver and Gulf Railroad decided to bypass the area, the townsite of Oslo (2.5 miles south) declined. Although many settlers moved away, more than thirty families remained. Today the Olso Lutheran Church serves as a remainder of the area's Norwegian heritage. (1981)

The Oslo Community is a historical marker in Gruver, Hansford County, dedicated in 1981. It is one of 13 historical markers documented in Hansford County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 16 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 36.4310, -101.5312 near Gruver. The nearest cataloged historic site is Gruver (cemetery), about 14 miles away. Others within a short drive include Farwell, Old, Dodge City - Tascosa Trail, and Cator Buffalo Camp.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5195003857. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.